Academic Writing

Breaking the Rules This activity will focus your awareness of gendered prescriptions for verbal communication. It also illustrates the principle that communication is rule guided. After you have read Chapter 5 on Verbal Communication (specifically page 115), select one gender prescription for verbal behavior and violate it intentionally. For example as a woman you might interrupt, give minimal responses, not express empathy, reroute conversations, or be instrumental when others talk to them about personal problems. Men, you might be emotionally expressive, use tag questions, respond expressively to others’ feelings, or express empathy. You must a) give a brief description of some types of gender specific rules for communicating b) describe the situation/conversation you violate b) explain how the other person responded to you c) how you felt as you were deviating from expectations of your gender. All work must be typed, 12pt. font in Times New Roman style and double spaced. Assignment must be 2 pages minimum.